[Harp-L] R?p :The other Butter mic (was: about Haltec mics)

[G <gigs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 15:31:51 +0100
From: gorky <gorky@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] R?p :The other Butter mic (was: about Haltec mics) 
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Hi again
> Shure 545 seems to be available by many sellers.
> But i ' ve got a new problem;  Wich one  between 545, 545L ,545SD_LC 
> and maybe others . I don' t understand the technical specifications.
> I' m just able to try and play. If anybody knows  what is the best for
harmonica, 
> i' m looking for advice.
> Thanks again
> Gorky

In terms of tonal characteristics they are all the same.  The PE54 series
are for all intents and purposes are 545  mics as well.  All models have
the Shure R45 cartridge which is what gives them their sound.  

The biggest difference is the original 545 & 545S have US made R45 with a
hotter output which can drive your amp a bit harder, than all the other
models which come with the Mexican made R45 cartridge with a slightly lower
output.  
The original US made mics can be identified by their 4 pin output, where as
all the others have a regular XLR jack.  

That said I've compared a PE54 side by side with an original 545, I may
have had to put the level on the amp up by a couple of degrees, but I
couldn't hear a difference.

The other consideration is there are two configurations, the wand mic; and
the mounted "pistol grip".  The latter is considerably bulkier and heavy -
personally I much prefer the light slender wand.  All the pistol grip mics
have an on/off switch.  And a few of the wand models come with on/off
switch, which is what I got.

All of them can be wired for unbalanced high impedance or balanced low
impedance.  

You can buy the Shure 545SD Unidine III brand new from any good music
store. It comes with the same Mexican R45 as all the other models with the
obvious exception of the 545 and 545S.

Again, I've documented all this on my webpage on 545 & PE54 mics
http://www.angelfire.com/music/harmonica/shure545.html

I bought my 545SD from Tom Ellis who got Larry Price to transplant an US
R45 cartridge into it.  I'm very happy with it.

Cheers,
-- G.